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Electronically Translated Text

UNDER-SECRETARY RETIRES. AFTER 34 YEARS' SERVICE. M. F. D. NORTH'S CAREER. Owing to ill-health, Mr. F. D. North, C.M.G., the Under-Secretary and Perma- nent Head of the Colonial Secretary's De- partment has been retired from the Civil Service of Western Australia at his own re- quest. The necessary formalities were com- plied with at yesterday's meeting of the Executive Council. Mr. North has been enjoying his long service leave, during which period the Assistant Under-Secretary (Mr. G. Dibdin) has been acting in his stead. Mr. North joined the Lands Department in 1886, at the age of 20, and five years later was appointed Clerk to the Executive Council. While carrying out the duties of the later office he came under the notice of the late (then) Sir John Forrest, who shortly afterwards installed him as Secre- tary to the Premier, which position he held for ten years. In 1902 he was appointed Under-Secretary to the Colonial Secretary's Department, from which he has now re- tired. In 1894, he acted as A.D.C. to Sir W. C. Robinson when Governor of Western Australia, and accompanied Sir John For- rest to England in 1897 to attend Queen Victoria's Diamond Jubilee. At the open- ing of the first Federal Parliament by the present King, who was then Duke of York, Mr. North represented Western Australia as a member of the Royal Reception Commit- tee. In 1902. he was awarded the C.M.G. He was elected to the position of president of the Civil Service Association four years in succession, and was the first permanent head to associate himself with the organi- sation.